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Facing a theft charge in Louisiana can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know how the value involved changes everything. Louisiana theft law follows a clear, predictable structure once someone experienced walks you through it.
Theft charges in Louisiana are classified by the value of what was allegedly taken, ranging from misdemeanor theft under $1,000 to felony theft carrying up to 20 years for property worth $25,000 or more. Rozas Law Firm defends theft cases across Louisiana, from arrest through trial.
Rozas Law Firm has represented Louisiana clients in criminal matters since 2004. This guide breaks down how Louisiana defines theft, what happens after an arrest or conviction, and how our attorneys approach a defense.
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Louisiana Theft Charges: Petty, Misdemeanor, and Felony Theft Explained
Under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:67, theft is defined as taking something of value from another person without consent and with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. Although terms such as “petty theft” and “grand theft” are commonly used online, Louisiana does not classify theft using those statutory categories. Instead, Louisiana’s theft statute generally uses the value of the property involved to determine the level of the offense.
Generally, theft of property valued under $1,000 is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Felony theft scales upward from there: up to 5 years in prison for property valued between $1,000 and $4,999, up to 10 years for $5,000 to $24,999, and up to 20 years for property worth $25,000 or more.
A few details surprise people. A theft involving property valued under $1,000 can carry enhanced penalties when the person has two or more prior theft convictions. In that circumstance, a subsequent conviction can carry up to two years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $2,000. Shoplifting is prosecuted under this same theft statute rather than as a lesser offense. A Louisiana misdemeanor lawyer or Louisiana felony lawyer on our team can review the specific facts of your charge and tell you exactly where it falls.
What to Do After Being Arrested or Convicted of Theft in Louisiana
If you’ve just been arrested, the decisions you make in the first hours and days matter. Avoid discussing the details of your case with anyone besides your attorney, including online, and don’t sign any statement from law enforcement without legal advice first. Keep copies of every document you’re given. Our page on what happens after a Louisiana arrest walks through those early steps in more detail.
If you’ve already been convicted, the options look different. A defense attorney’s leverage is greatest before and during a case, so a conviction shifts the focus toward appeal, post-conviction relief, or eventually expungement rather than pretrial strategy. Those deadlines can be short, so reviewing your case quickly still matters after a conviction. Either way, the sooner a Louisiana theft attorney looks at your case, the more options you typically have.
Common Theft-Related Charges Our Louisiana Attorneys Handle
Theft-related charges come in more forms than the word “theft” suggests, and each carries its own considerations.
Shoplifting and retail theft are charged under Louisiana’s general theft statute, with the store’s claimed value of the merchandise determining whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony.
Possession of stolen property is a separate charge that applies to the illegal possession of stolen things, which can include knowingly receiving, possessing, procuring, or concealing property that was stolen.
Burglary and robbery are related but legally distinct from theft: burglary involves unlawfully entering a property to commit a crime, and robbery involves taking property through force or intimidation. Both carry their own penalty structures separate from the value-based theft tiers above.
Because these charges overlap in the public’s mind but not in the law, it matters to have an attorney confirm exactly what you’re being charged with and why.
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How We Approach a Louisiana Theft Defense
Every theft case starts with a close look at how the evidence was gathered and whether it holds up. Our attorneys review the police report, any surveillance footage or witness statements, and the specific value assigned to the property, since that value often determines whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony.
From there, the right path depends on the facts. That can mean questioning how a suspect was identified, examining whether the state can actually prove the “intent to permanently deprive” element Louisiana law requires, or negotiating with prosecutors toward a reduced charge. When a case is better served by trial, our in-house investigator and paralegal team help build that defense alongside our attorneys.
No two theft cases resolve the same way, and no attorney can guarantee an outcome before reviewing the facts. What we provide is a full, individualized review of your case before any decision gets made.
Why Choose Rozas Law Firm to Help with Your Louisiana Theft Case
Rozas Law Firm has spent more than 20 years on Louisiana criminal matters, led by founding attorney David Rozas and supervising criminal law attorney Shea R. Smith, and has helped more than 11,000 clients statewide. Our team includes an in-house investigator and full-time paralegals alongside our attorneys, so cases get dedicated resources rather than passed between overworked staff.
Our Louisiana criminal defense team reviews the facts of every theft case individually, from how the evidence was gathered to the value in question, and explains your options in plain terms before any decisions are made. We maintain offices serving Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles, with attorneys who understand the procedures, local court practices, and criminal defense process in each parish’s courts.Representation is also available in English and Spanish.
Talk to a Louisiana Theft Attorney Today
Rozas Law Firm represents clients facing theft charges throughout Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and communities statewide. The sooner our team reviews your case, the more options are typically available.
Schedule a consultation with our criminal defense team, or visit our Louisiana criminal defense page to learn more about how we approach theft cases from arrest through resolution.
This webpage is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. For guidance on your specific situation, contact Rozas Law Firm directly.
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